My mom and I have often commented that McDonald's has helped shape the American work force since so many people find their first job in fast food.
First jobs tend to be in the food service industry, from busing tables, food preparation or fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Taco Bell and Sonic.
These entry-level positions teach many lessons that are useful throughout one's life. Crestview High School students, as well as others, learn valuable job and life skills that will stay with them throughout their entire careers.
McDonald's is patient with their young workers, and works with them to teach the skills needed to perform their job at peak efficiency.
Their managers are kind, yet consistent in making sure these young people become skilled at their job and know what it takes to work as a team. McDonald's seems to be busy most of the day, and there is always work to be done. Food preparation and cleaning seem to be the prevalent things requiring the most attention.
Some of these skills are taught at McDonald's:
•Promptness — be on time for work
•Good grooming habits — be neat and tidy in appearance
•Following directions
•How to perform basic chores, such as sweeping, mopping floors, wiping up spills, and cleaning up the parking lot
•Loyalty to the company and co-workers
•Value in teamwork — cooperating with others
•Accountability — to supervisors and other team members
•Dependability
•Accuracy
•Quality of work performed
•Value of money — it is harder to spend one's own money than one's parents' money
•Pride in a job well done
•Customer service and interaction — dealing with difficult people
•Safe work habits
Entry-level jobs deserve respect, as they are the first step on the ladder to success. All of the lessons learned will be taken wherever life leads these young workers — perhaps on to college, their next job, graduate school and into their professional lives.
Hopefully these life lessons learned on their first job will help shape their work ethic and outlook on life.
These disciplines will certainly reap benefits.
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Food service industry work offers life lessons